We've brought you a lot of rather <a href="http://inhabitat.com/6-most-dubious-green-projects-from-dubai/">dubious green building projects in Dubai</a>, but we're hoping that the newest, the <a href="http://www.dubaipearl.com/">Dubai Pearl</a>, is an exception. The $6 billion mixed-use city within a city is being planned for an area near Dubai’s new business centers, and according to the developers, the program will boast energy efficiency, “smart technology”, a column-free design, and a walkable environment that will enable community living. But we really wonder whether Dubai needs and can even support another massive residential, hotel and office complex of the Dubai Pearl’s scale.

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dubai pearl panorama

The Dubai Pearl is a $6 billion mixed-use city within a city that overlooks the Palm Jumeirah and is near the city’s new business centers, Internet and Media Cities.

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dubai pearl day

Dubai Pearl’s contractors have designed the master plan to ensure energy efficiency and therefore score the complex LEED Gold certification. Recycling facilities for paper, glass and food waste will be part of the complex’s guarantee for effective waste diversion.

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dubai pearl baccarat residence

One of the hotels will be a Baccarat property. Six luxury hotels in total will be part of the Dubai Pearl complex.

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dubai pearl palm jumeirah

Like much of the Gulf, Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates still rely on desalination, and the massive amounts such water will be required to keep Dubai Pearl thriving.

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dubai pearl panorama

Emerging on the site of a project that went bust several years ago, construction has been charging along on what will eventually be 20 million square feet of a “fully integrated” sustainable development.

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dubai pearl residence

Six luxury hotels, including MGM and Bellagio, will anchor a “holistic luxury lifestyle” development that will include residences and offices.

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dubai pearl residence aerial view

Information on what sustainable building materials for the buildings’ interiors and exteriors is lacking. Shown is a rendering of one of the residential buildings. Can luxurious living and sustainable design go hand-in-hand in Dubai, of all places?

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dubai pearl residence

For now, Dubai Pearl’s claims to be sustainable are the classic case of a company saying, “We say we are green, therefore we are.” Until we see more details, and view evidence that responsible building practices are core to Dubai Pearl’s construction and after opening, everyday operations, we view this “sustainable development” with suspicion.

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dubai pearl model

All of Dubai's promises at first sound great, but the details are rather thin. Dubai still has a glut of office and residential space despite the city’s recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, due in part to more businesses relocating in the wake of the Arab Spring.

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dubai pearl model

Curiously, this model of Dubai Pearl is set in an office designed to look like a future residence's interior.

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dubai pearl construction site

Smart lighting features and water conservation will supposedly minimize Dubai Pearl’s impact on the local environment. Phase one is set to open next year.

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dubai pearl construction site

According to Dubai Pearl’s press office, the 40 acre (16 hectares) site will include 1 million square feet of open spaces and landscaped areas, with 15,500 parking spaces, 1500 residential units, 1400 offices and a retail zone that will eventually support a population of 30,000 people. So how will this be a sustainable development?

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dubai pearl construction site

Energy efficiency, “smart technology” and a column free design will coexist with community living and a walkable environment. Construction has begun--Leon Kaye took a tour in February 2011.

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dubai pearl night

We've brought you a lot of rather dubious green building projects in Dubai, but we're hoping that the newest, the Dubai Pearl, is an exception. The $6 billion mixed-use city within a city is being planned for an area near Dubai’s new business centers, and according to the developers, the program will boast energy efficiency, “smart technology”, a column-free design, and a walkable environment that will enable community living. But we really wonder whether Dubai needs and can even support another massive residential, hotel and office complex of the Dubai Pearl’s scale.